Wellington Phoenix brought the heat to Launceston on Friday night (17 February), taking down Western United 3-0 and ending their unbeaten record in Tasmania.
The loss in their last home game in the State for the season was a blow to the current A-League champions.
While it may not have been Western United’s night, local talent put on a show in a curtain raiser by 31 Tasmanian under 16 and 17 players, in temperatures pushing 30 degrees.
The game was goalless at the break and ended in a 1-1 draw, after a goal each in the second half to Jontae Lincolne-Lomax from South Hobart for the Southern side, and to Austin Marshall from Riverside Olympic for the combined North/North-West team.
Football Tasmania Coaching Development Manager David Smith said: “We were very pleased with the players’ performance and attitude in the hot conditions; they moved the ball around well and had lots of good one-on-one battles.
“It was great experience for them to be able to play at UTas Stadium, and the players and coaches are keen to do it again, as well as taking part in a tour to Japan at the end of the season.”
As part of their visit, Western United also visited St Patrick’s College and held a sold-out community clinic for 60 children just prior to the match.
